Davao (pop. 1,776,949) is a city in southern Mindanao in the Philippines. It is on the shores of Davao Gulf.
Davao has an area of 943 square miles (2,444 square kilometers). It is the main commercial and trading center of eastern and southeastern Mindanao. Important products of the Davao Region include corn, abaca (a plant used to make Manila hemp), pineapples, and timber. The fishing industry is also important.
Religious relics in Davao include the Shrine of the Holy Infant of Jesus of Prague. It is at Matina Heights, about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the city. There is also an open-air chapel containing replicas of the Holy Infant and of Our Lady of Fatima.
Before World War II (1939-1945), Davao developed as a port for the export of Manila hemp. The city was destroyed during the war and was rebuilt afterward.
